Loren Data Corp.

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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 1,1998 PSA#2086

U.S. ARMY CECOM, Command/Control and Systems Integration Directorate, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 07703-5603

A -- MARKET SURVEY TO IDENTIFY COMMERCIAL AND RUGGEDIZED HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICES, ULTRALITE NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS, LAPTOP/NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS, PALM PERSONAL COMPUTERS, OTHER MOBILE COMPUTERS AND ACCESSORIES, AS WELL AS COMMUNICATIONS MODEMS/INTERFACE DEVICES FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S TACTICAL DUE 052998 POC Mr. George Chan, 732-427-3852 or LTC Gabriel Leyva, 732-427-4041 E-MAIL: Market Survey to Identify Commerical and Ruggedized Handheld Computing Devices, chang@doim6.monmouth.army.mil. This is a market survey for information and data to locate and identify all sources of commercial and ruggedized mobile computers, such as -- but not limited to -- Handheld Computing Devices, UltraLite Notebook computers, Laptop/Notebook computer, Palm Personal Computers, other mobile computers, as well as communications modems/interface devices for tactical communications and accessories. The intent of this market survey is to determine the availability of current and projected technologies for the ruggedized and commercial lightweight/mobile computing and communications devices. The survey is to collect data for electrical and functional power management and other performance characteristics including underlying operating systems (i.e., MS-DOS, Windows (95/NT), Win CE, and UNIX), relevant to use of these devices in the tactical environment for command and control. The mobile computers consist of hardware and software including operating systems, diagnostics software, communications protocols and drives required for tactical communications,. Hardware includes the processors, displays, keyboards/pointing devices, hard disk drives, RAM upgrade, CD-ROM/DVD internal/external, floppy drives, PC Cards, AC/DC power sources and extended battery power sources. The survey also includes soft and hard carrying/transit cases, hardware warranties, training, and documentation materials. The survey is also intended to collect information, where applicable, and available on the environmental, ElectroMagnetic Interface (EMI) and other characteristics, including, but not limited to, survivability of these mobile computers under High-altitude ElectroMagnetic Pulse (HEMP) and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) contamination and decontamination conditions. DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: The following is a MINIMUM set of requirements for each category of mobile computers. However, the Government will consider vendor products that do not meet all the minimum set of requirements provided the vendor can provide an outstanding value for technology/price performance. Additionally, the Government will accept proposals from a vendor whose product provides additional features above and beyond the minimum set of requirements. Handheld Computing Device (HCD) 32-bit Intel Pentium class processor (MMX technology acceptable) or the mobile Pentium II chip or better, software applications (e.g., electronic-mail, word processor, spreadsheet, and database); 32 MB of RAM; 1-2 GB hard disk drive capacity; active-matrix display; resolution of 640 x 480 pixels; two (2) Type II PC Card slots; tactical modem with G/VLLD interface' LAN interface; two (2) RS-232C COM ports; with connects to printer, to modem, and to external VGA display; AC power supply; DC to DC vehicular power adapter (internal/external); weighing less than eight (8) pounds for the ruggedized unit which includes batteries, Combat Net Radio Cable, and operational carrying case. If applicable, identify compatible mobile computing PC Cards (e.g. wire less LAN; GPS; modems; smart cards; storage device; etc.), mobile computing software packages, extended battery power source device and other hardware/software features as appropriate for a mobile environment. Any battery in the Government inventory is acceptable. Laptop/Notebook Computer: 32-bit processor (233 MHz Intel Pentium MMX processor (or greater) or the mobile Pentium II chip, or better; software applications (e.g., electronic-mail, word processor, spreadsheet, and database); 32 mb OF RAM, a minimum 13.3" active-matrix display; resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels, or better; video card with 2MB of RAM; 16-bit stereo sound; easily removable (without any tools) hard disk (4 GB or larger); 3 1/2 High Density (HD) 1.4 MB Floppy disk; DVD technology, or 20x CD-ROM; two (2) Type II PC Card slots; serial; connects to printer, to modem, to external VGA display; AC power; and DC battery power; weighing less than ten (10) pounds for the commercial version and less than fifteen (15) pounds for the ruggedized version. Where applicable, identify compatible mobile computing PC Cards (e.g., wire less LAN, GPS, modems, smart cards, storage device etc.) mobile computing software package, extended battery power source device and other hardware/software features as appropriate for a mobile environment. UltraLite Notebook Computer: 32-bit processor (133 MHz Intel Pentium processor (or greater) (MMX technology acceptable) or the mobile Pentium II chip or better; software applications (e.g., electronic-mail, word processor, spreadsheet, and database); 32 MB of RAM, a minimum 6.1" active-matrix display; resolution of 640 x 480 pixels; video card with 1 MB of RAM; 16-bit stereo sound; 3/4 GB hard disk; 3 1/2 High Density (HD); 1.4 MB Floppy Disk (external acceptable); 6x CD-ROM (external 20x CD ROM acceptable) or DVD technology; one (1) Type II PC Card slot; serial; connects to printer, to modem, to external VGA display; AC power and DC battery power, weighing less than five (5) pounds for the commercial version and less than seven (7) pounds for the ruggedizedversion. Where applicable, identify compatible mobile computing PC Cards (e.g., wire less LAN, GPS, modems, smart cards, storage devices, etc.),mobile computing software packages, extended battery power source device and other hardware/software features as appropriate for a mobile environment. Palm Personal Computer (Palm PC): 32-bit processor; software applications (e.g., electronic-mail, word processor, spreadsheet, and database); 16 MB of RAM; Resolution of 640 x 240 pixels; 1/4 GB hard disk, one (1) Type II PC Card slot; serial, connects to printer, to modem, AC power and DC battery; weighing less than three (3) pounds for the commercial version and less than five (5) pounds for the ruggedized version. Where applicable, identify compatible mobile computing PC Cards (e.g., wire less LAN, GPS modems, smart cards, storage device, etc.), mobile computing software packages, extended battery power source device, and other hardware/software features as appropriate for a mobile environment. Other Commercially-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Mobile Computers: Mobile computers that do not quite fit into the above categories (smaller than 13.3" active-matrix display notebooks, i.e., headsets, wrist sets, handheld, pocket PCs, communicators, etc.). 32-bit processor; Intel Pentium class processor (MMX technology acceptable) or the mobile Pentium II chip; software applications (e.g., electronic-mail, word processor, spreadsheet, and database); RAM (unspecified); active-matrix display; display pixels (unspecified); one (1) Type II PC Card; serial, connects to printer, to modem, to external VGA display; AC power and DC battery power; weighing less than five (5) pounds for the commercial version and less than eight (8) pounds for the ruggedized version. Where applicable, identify compatible mobile computing PC Cards (e.g., wire less LAN, GPS modems, smart cards, storage device, etc.), mobile computing software packages, extended battery power source device, and other hardware/software features as appropriate for a mobile environment. Extended Battery Power Source Devices for Mobile Computers: Extended battery power life is extremely important to the Government. The PM CHS is interested in small and lightweight COTS power source products that satisfy the power-hungry processors and ever-larger displays of mobile computers which stretches the increasingly large performance demands on batteries; e.g., Nickel-Metal Hydride (HiMH), Lithium-Ion, (Li-Ion), and Zinc-air battery technologies or other technologies. Communications Modems/Interface Devices: This is the Communications capability to interface to the U.S. Army's tactical communications radios and equipment. This capability shall include modem hardware (minimum two (2) channels), software and protocols to be able to communicate with the Army's current and future tactical communications equipment. This capability can be provided either as an embedded configuration into the host computer or as an external (i.e., PC card capability) or both. When the communications capability is embedded into the host mobile computer, it shall meet the same ruggedization requirements for survivability as the host computer. The Government is very interested in seeking information where commercial hardware and software solutions can meet the U>S> Army's tactical communications requirements. Vendors are encouraged to provide their solution whether or not they are not in accordance with MIL-ST-188-220 Criteria. All innovative solutions presently in existence or future product upgrades for the communications capability are being sought as part of this market survey. Demonstration and Submission for Market Survey: After the Government has reviewed the information and data in the market survey, the Government may invite selected vendors to demonstrate their COTS Mobile Computing Technology (hardware/software) solutions. At that time, detailed technical data for the manufacture and acceptance for these mobile computers are not available from the Army. In addition, a Computer Maintenance Services Market Survey questionnaire will be posted on the following Website: http://www2.chstio.c3sys.army.mil/survey.htm. It will include questions in areas such as i.e., hardware/software support, contract service, training capability, quality management, etc. If applicable, feel free to answer any part of the maintenance service market survey questionnaire and submit it together with the technical and cost information. Potential supplier(s) capable of furnishing Mobile Computers, Laptops, Notebooks, and/or Palm PCs must so indicate, by writing to support this market survey in the form of non-propriety literature, advertisement, brochures, and documents to: U. S. Army, Project Manager Army Tactical Command and Control System (PM ATCCS), Product Manager Common Hardware Systems (PM CHS), ATTN: SFAE-C3-AT-CHS (Mr. George Chan), Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 07703-5603. (0119)

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